Super Volcano at Stardome

Went to see the Super volcano showing at Stardome.

It is an older (2005/2006) film projected on to the dome ceiling of the Star dome. Being part of Stardome’s School Holiday Program, Family groups with Kids are likely to derive the most enjoyment from it.

The actual “Super Volcano” film clip (as shown in the trailer in the aforementioned link) runs for about 23 minutes starting from Indonesia and describing it’s lasting effect on the world, through the “Great Dying”, before zooming out and examining the volcanoes of other planets.

The remainder of the time was utilized as a generalized star light presentation of the Solar system, aimed primary at younger kids interested in astronomy. Total Run time for the content by itself is 40 minutes (Super Volcano film + Solar system presentation). No photos to show this time (as photography is prohibited inside the Stardome room itself)

May be alright value with Family groups on a $40.00 (+ Booking fee) Family pass. (In contrast to say a group of Adult aged friends at 13.50 each where it perhaps falls on the expensive side)

Super Volcano at Stardome

Quick visit to Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens

Quick Drop in visit to Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens en route back to Auckland. Click Photo below to access the gallery…

Kaipara Coast Gardens in Fall

They recommend about 1 and half hours to walk around. Could easily spend 3 hours there if you include Don’s loop at a leisurely pace. Hills are moderate (Easy for a seasoned hiker, may be challenging for though for the less fit)

Quick visit to Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens

Pasifika and Corrections

A little walk around Pasifika Festival today, Small album of pictures posted to NUI.NZ.

Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, Pasifika Festival 2018

With a surprise (to me) appearance of Jacinda Ardern along with Phil Goff (Mayor of Auckland).

Came earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds and the Afternoon Rain. Pacific Nations represented included, Hawaii, Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Tahiti, Niue and of course Aotearoa. Full details on the ATEED website.

T’was handed info pack while walking past some stalls at Pasifika. A possible Career change from being a Computer nerd to a Corrections Officer? Not unheard of I suppose… It at least made me intrigued to look at what Corrections do.

Corrections Pamphlet handed out at Pasifika

In a lot of the “Just The Job” videos on Youtube… Lots of focus on rehabilitation, thought there was an acknowledgement that many offenders will “play the game”, get released only to return to prison again at a later date.

Currently Looking at the pay scale, If I ever was to take a front line position with Corrections, it would undoubtedly result in fairly sizeable drop in my pay.

Pasifika and Corrections

Confession time

I have a confession to make, I do not understand present day Economics or financial markets.

To be honest, all I personally see is perhaps the biggest global asset bubble to ever grace the face of this planet. Many assets across the board appear to be valued well in-excess of their intrinsic value and have seemingly been like this for a lot longer than would ordinary be in a so called a bubbly situation.

Continue reading “Confession time”

Confession time

Mount Taupiri + Pukemokemoke Reserve

Short walks this afternoon to Mount Taupiri and Pukemokemoke, click picture below to access the photo gallery at NUI.NZ.

Kauri Trees at Pukemokemoke Reserve

The Taupiri Mountain Bushwalk was approved for by Maori Elder, Turnate Mahuta, and cared for by Local residents along with the Taupiri Young Farmers Club. Pukemokemoke Reserve is under the care of the David Johnstone Pukemokemoke Bush Trust in conjuction with Friends of the Pukemokemoke.

Both Bush Walks (to the summits and return) are about 1-2 hours each.

Elevation gain for Taupiri Mountain is approximately 270 while the elevation gain for Pukemokemoke is approximately 150.

Detail indepth description about the Pukemokemoke reserve is available on MotoWalk Pukemokmoke page

Mount Taupiri + Pukemokemoke Reserve

Cornwall Park

Quick little shots Miscellaneous shots from Cornwall park after having attended the Flight Centre Travel Expo.  Was hoping to see some blossoms, but it didn’t quite eventuate as planned. It was also the middle of the day where most people would be visiting the park so didn’t quite get any descent photo opportunities that weren’t essentially just crowds of people…

Continue reading “Cornwall Park”

Cornwall Park

Wellington Redux + NZ Shareholders’ Association AGM

Short trip down to Wellington to Attend the New Zealand Shareholders’ Association Annual Conference. Prior to that, paid a visit to the Zealandia Eco Sanctuary… Click image below to access the gallery.

Tuatara within the Zealandia Eco Sanctuary

Recommend paying the extra for a guide for your first visit to the Sanctuary just to get an insight on where the wild life is hiding. The Sanctuary has yearly access options available which Is an option I would take up myself should I live in the Wellington Area. Aside from the main visiting area, the Sanctuary has quite a network of walking tracks [PDF].

NZ Shareholder’s Association conference on the following day was packed and fully subscribed. A number of speakers presented including…

  • Simon Mouter – Managing Director Spark Ltd
  • Cameron Bagrie – ANZ Bank Chief Economist
  • Mark Peterson – CEO NZX Ltd
  • Norah Barlow – Director, Estia Healthcare
  • Hartley Atkinson – CEO AFT Pharmaceuticals
  • Richard Keys – CEO Abano Healthcare Ltd
  • Margaret Bearsley/ Andrew Hudson – CEO/GC Takeovers Panel

…Recordings will be posted to the NZ Shareholders website for paid up NZSA Members.

Jetstar has so far been good to me (as is Air New Zealand with other trips). No Delays this trip. Maybe one advantage Jetstar has over Air NZ is that they offer meals with the Flexi ticket option at least for their Auckland to Wellington Leg (though I’m sure the extra 2nd meal I got on the way down wasn’t meant to happen and probably came about when I encountered a bug with their online booking system trying to select meals and seats)

Wellington Redux + NZ Shareholders’ Association AGM

Grampians and Twelve Apostles Trip Notes

23rd to 26th June 2017 – Post Work formalities Road trip to the Grampians and The !2 Apostles (Now really only 7) along the Great Ocean Road before flying back home to Auckland.

The site of the 12 Apostles

After the Software Technical symposium concluded on Friday Afternoon, grabbed a rental car and drove to Halls Gap next to the Grampians National Park, staying at Comfort Inn Halls Gap. Continue reading “Grampians and Twelve Apostles Trip Notes”

Grampians and Twelve Apostles Trip Notes

Leisurely Whangarei Heads Weekend

Return to the Whangarei area to catch up with a few friends. A short overnight walk to Peach Cove Hut via the shorter and direct Peach Cove Track, returning via Te Whara Track and staying up at the peak to take in the views of the Whangarei Area. Later on a short flat walk around Whangarei’s town basin. Pictures posted here.

View of the Whangarei Heads area from highest point on Te Whara Track.
Leisurely Whangarei Heads Weekend